Woman's body found at Midfield-Birmingham line; case may be tied to southwest Birmingham death

View full sizeBirmingham police investigators work the scene were a man was found shot to death on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010, along side of the Ishkooda-Wenonah Road in southwest Birmingham. (The Birmingham News/Carol Robinson)

and Carol Robinson -- The Birmingham News

The body of a young woman was found this afternoon near the Midfield/Birmingham city limits. Police believe the discovery is linked to the discovery of a man's body on Ishkooda-Wenonah in Birmingham earlier this morning.

Midfield police were called to an area near Hartman Industrial Boulevard about noon to investigate a burned out truck, said Midfield police chief Frank Belcher. While the officer was investigating the burned out truck, he found the woman's body in a nearby ditch, Belcher said.

Other officers said the woman was in her early 20s, was only partly clothed and may have been raped.

Birmingham and Midfield police are both on the scene.

Belcher said the death investigation may be linked to the discovery of a man found shot to death this morning in southwest Birmingham.

A passerby on his way to work spotted the body in the grass just off the roadway in the 200 block of Ishkooda-Wenonah Road about 6 a.m.

It appears the victim, who was not carrying any identification, was shot elsewhere, his body dumped and then shot again. Detectives believe the body was there overnight. Birmingham homicide Sgt. Scott Thurmond said the victim was a well-dressed Hispanic male.

Authorities have not been able to determine an age. He was wearing blue Polo pants, a white sweater, Skecher shoes and a black leather jacket.

Anyone with information on the identity of the victim or the homicide is asked to call police at 254-1764.